2016-09-07 Long-awaited verdict in Travis Vader case could be broadcast live if judge agrees | Edmonton Journal
Published by Bretton McCann,
Long-awaited verdict in Travis Vader case could be broadcast live if judge agrees
The Edmonton judge presiding over the Travis Vader murder trial is considering a media application to have next week’s verdict broadcast via a live-streaming TV camera in the courtroom.
Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Denny Thomas said Wednesday he will rule on the issue next Tuesday, two days before he is slated to give his decision in the lengthy case surrounding the 2010 slayings of an elderly St. Albert couple.
Media lawyer Fred Kozak, who was acting for the Edmonton Sun, Edmonton Journal, CBC, CTV and Global News, argued Thomas has "absolute discretion" to decide whether or not to allow a camera in the courtroom.
"Why wouldn’t you want people to be well-informed about the facts that led to this decision?" said Kozak.
Defence lawyer Brian Beresh supported the media application, saying it is "in the public interest" and could help people better understand the judge’s decision.
However, Crown prosecutor Ashley Finlayson opposed the application, arguing a raw summary of the ruling could be taken out of context. He also said he is concerned about a precedent being set.
"If cameras become part of the court system, it could have a bad effect on the administration of justice," said Finlayson.
Thomas told the hearing he will only be reading a summary of his verdict Sept. 15 and said he is worried about what would happen with the video once it is aired live.
"When something is live-streamed, it’s out there," said Thomas. "You can’t put the genie back in the bottle."
Vader, 44, is facing two counts of first-degree murder for the alleged killings of Lyle McCann, 78, and his 77-year-old wife Marie.
The McCanns were last seen July 3, 2010, leaving a Superstore in St. Albert while en route to B.C. for a family camping vacation. Two days later, their motorhome was found ablaze at a campground near Edson and the SUV they were towing was discovered in the woods on July 16, 2010. Their bodies have never been found.
During the trial, which wrapped up June 23, court heard police found Vader’s DNA, blood and fingerprints in the SUV, as well as blood spatter from the McCanns.
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